NFL Betting Preview: Bengals at Packers
The Green Bay Packers are looking to build off their opening week win when they host the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers found receiver Greg Jennings on a 50-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Packers edged the Bears 21-15 last Sunday night. Running back Ryan Grant also rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries as Green Bay covered the 5-point spread as a favorite.
The Bengals suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Denver Broncos in their home opener last week. Brandon Stokley caught a deflected pass with under a 40 seconds remaining in the game and raced to the end zone untouched as the Broncos beat Cincinnati 12-7 to cover the 5-point spread as underdogs.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BetOnline have made the Packers 9-point favorites over the Bengals on Sunday. The over/under total for this game has been established at 42 points.
The last time these two teams met was back in October of 2005 when the Bengals beat the Packers 21-14 in Cincinnati. The Bengals failed to cover the 9-point spread in that matchup.
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the Packers entering the season was whether or not the defense would adjust to the new 3-4 front. If their effort in last week’s win over Chicago is any indication of how well they’ll play this season, then the Packers’ defense is going to be just fine.
The Packers’ front seven harassed Jay Cutler into throwing four interceptions last week and could cause similar problems for Bengals’ signal caller Carson Palmer. Cincinnati’s best approach would be to establish its running game with Cedric Benson early in the game, unlike Chicago, which failed to get Matt Forte many touches in the first half and become too one-dimensional.
We expect Rodgers and the Packers’ offense to be more effective than they were last week. The Bengals don’t have the front seven the Bears do and thus, Rodgers should have more time to throw. Right tackle Allen Barbre should fair better this week now that he won’t be facing Chicago’s potent pass rush.
We suggest laying the points in this game and taking the Packers. The total has gone under in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games on the road, so we also recommend taking the under 42.
Our NFL Free Picks for this Week 2 matchup are: GREEN BAY PACKERS -9 and UNDER 42.
Bengals at Packers Current Odds
211 Cincinnati Bengals +9 Over 42 Moneyline +375
212 Green Bay Packers –9 Under 42 Moneyline -550
NFL Week 2 Betting Trends
Cincinnati is 4-12-1 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games
Green Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Green Bay is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
NFL Week 2 Injury Report
Cincinnati Bengals
David Jones, CB, Out Week 2 (foot)
Nate Livings, G, Out Week 2 (knee)
Andre Smith, T, Out Week 2 (foot)
Scott Kooistra, T, Probable Week 2 (knee)
Brian Leonard, RB, Probable Week 2 (chest)
Jordan Palmer, QB, Probable Week 2 (illness)
Green Bay Packers
Atari Bigby, S, Out Week 2 (knee)
Brandon Jackson, RB, Out Week 2 (ankle)
Daryn Colledge, G, Questionable Week 2 (foot)
B.J. Raji, DT, Questionable Week 2 (ankle)
Will Blackmon, CB, Probable Week 2 (quadricep)
Mason Crosby, K, Probable Week 2 (abdomen)
Greg Jennings, WR, Probable Week 2 (wrist)